Money Management Tools Sneak Peek
We are putting the finishing touches on Money Management Tools. We will have extensive help available on Web Branch along with videos detailing the features available and how to use them. One of the videos is a general overview and is available now to get a sneak peek at the features.
Money Management Tools Overview Video Demonstration
Look for more details here, on the Source Code blog, next week.
Labels: education, help, money management, new features, tips, Web Branch
Web Pay Add a Payee Simplified
We've simplified the process for adding a new payee to Web Pay. In the past, you had to search for your payee by name and you may have been unsure which payee to pick from the list. Now, all you have to do is enter the information exactly as it appears on your bill. We'll search our list of electronic payees automatically. If possible, we'll validate the address and account number you entered. If the data validates, you'll immediately be able to add the payee as an electronic payment.
If you don't have an account with the payee (like when you are just paying a friend), you don't have to bother searching. We'll just send your payment as a paper check.
If the address or account number from one of your bills can't be validated, and you are sure it is correct, you can proceed and we'll send the payment as a paper check. In the future, the payment may still upgrade to an electronic payment.
We hope this will lead to less confusion when adding payees and allow for more of your payments to be processed electronically.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch, Web Pay
Secure Messaging Enhancements
We've made a few updates to our secure messaging system. First, we've added cases. A case is a set of messages that are all related. When you send in a question and we respond, our response is grouped with your original message. If you then reply, your response will be grouped with the first two messages and so on. This will help you keep track of related messages. Just click on the subject of a case in your inbox to see all the messages within the case. If you've already read a message, we'll minimize it to only show you unread messages within that case. To view the read messages, click the plus sign next to the message. If you are inquiring on a new issue, please start a new message using the Compose New Message link on the right of the secure messaging screens so you'll get a new case.
We've also enhanced our messages so we can include links within the message. If you ask one of our member service specialists where something is in Web Branch, they can now just include a link in their response. Since this is secure messaging and not e-mail, you don't have to worry about any fraud or phishing within the system. And, as a reminder, because the Web Branch secure messages are sent back and forth encrypted, and the messages never leave our servers, you can include private information like account numbers without worry (never include them in e-mail).
Finally, another reminder, you can sign up for our secure message alerts where you'll receive an e-mail or text message whenever you have a new, unread secure message. With the alert, you never have to worry about missing an important account update between the times you login to Web Branch. To add the alert, just edit your Alert Preferences under the Profile & Services tab.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch
See Web Branch Data and History in a Calendar View
It's been quiet on the Source Code blog for a while. That's not because there's nothing going on. We've been busy developing a number of exciting new features that will come out later this year to make staying organized and managing your finances on Web Branch even easier.
Today we've launched a new feature that gives a bit of a preview into the direction we are going. A while back we introduced a new widget for the side toolbar in Web Branch. The new widget just showed a monthly calendar. Now, you can expand the calendar by clicking Full View (see right) to be taken to a calendar view of your Web Branch transactions.
You can page through month by month. If you go back, you'll see historical information. If you go forward (past today's date) you'll see upcoming transactions like scheduled transfers and Web Payments.
You'll note it says "Showing:" at the top of the calendar. You can choose, by clicking on Calendar Options, between seeing Web Branch items (like Web Pay and transfers) and Account History. You can choose exactly which items or accounts you'd like to see as well.
What you end up with is a convenient calendar view of those items so you can see, in a visual way, what is happening with your accounts. We've also included links to the calendar view on many pages within Web Branch. Just look for the Calendar View link at the top. If you use those links, they will show the item or account history corresponding to the section you were in on Web Branch.If you don't have the calendar widget, click Add/Remove Widgets at the very top of the side toolbar and check the box next to calendar to add the widget.
Labels: money management, new features, tips, Web Branch
See Credit Card Transactions Since Last Statement
We've added the ability to view only those credit card transactions since the last statement date to Web Branch. This was a highly requested feature by members and we're happy to say we were able to add the feature.
To see your recent transactions, click the "Recent Items" link above your credit card history. That link applies a filter to your history where you'll only see transactions that haven't appeared on a billing statement. To go back to viewing your entire history, just click on the "All Items" link.
Labels: credit cards, help, tips, Web Branch
One Less Thing to Worry About with Auto Pay
We all have enough to do and logging into Web Branch to make sure your bills are paid on time doesn't have to be something to worry about. That's why we created Auto Pay. I wanted to mention it here for those who haven't discovered it yet.
Auto Pay allows you to set your preference for how to pay your lines of credit and credit cards with UW Credit Union. You can set each account individually to either pay the minimum due or the payoff amount each month. Then on the due date, we'll transfer the necessary amount (since the amount due on these types of accounts can change from month to month) to make the payment.
You can still make payments to your accounts during the month. Auto Pay can just be there as an insurance measure to make sure you're never late with a payment. Also, if you still owe something towards the minimum payment or payoff, we'll still transfer the necessary amount on the due date to cover the rest.
Access Auto Pay by going to the Transfers & Payments tab on Web Branch. Check the box next to the accounts you'd like to set up and choose whether to pay the minimum or in full and we'll take care of the rest.
Labels: tips, Web Branch
Add UW Credit Union Mobile to your iPhone Home Screen
Thousands of members are already using our mobile site and mobile Web Branch available at m.uwcu.org. Many of those members are using iPhones and iPod Touches.
There's an easy way to access your favorite Web sites on those devices. Just go to the Web page and tap the + key at the bottom of the Safari browser. Then choose "Add to Home Screen" from the menu that appears.
Now any time you need to access that page, it is available with the tap of your finger from your home screen.
If you haven't seen our mobile site, you can try our interactive demo.
New Educational Resource on Internet Security
A number of government agencies and technology companies have joined forces to create an educational Web site on Internet security, online fraud and computer security called OnGuard Online. It has a ton of great and (sometimes) fun quizzes to test your knowledge on phishing, file sharing, social networks, online auctions and more. There are videos, tutorials and links to software tools with many of them available in Spanish.
We've linked to the site from our online security page:
http://www.uwcu.org/OnlineBanking/OnlineSecurity/Default.aspx
Browser Support Updated for Firefox 3
A new version of Firefox is now available. Version 3 adds a bunch of new features and improvements to page loading speed and memory usage. We've fully tested the new version with our Web site and Web Branch and have added it to our supported browsers list.
For those of you not familiar with Firefox, it is made by the Mozilla Corporation, a non-profit company based in California. Firefox was introduced in 2004 and quickly took off. It is the second most popular browser after Microsoft Internet Explorer.
For those of you still using Firefox 1 and 1.5, those versions are no longer supported by Mozilla. Now would be a great time to upgrade to make sure you aren't vulnerable to any security flaws.
Labels: browsers, help, tips, Web Branch, Web site
Your Feedback After Three Months
We’ve received a lot of feedback since our blog went live in February. So it is about time I shared some of the feedback that we’ve heard and provided some answers. But first, I wanted to mention that many of you have submitted feedback using the “Post a Comment” function, and many of them were posted anonymously. Since we are not posting the comments to the blog, I am unable to respond directly to each comment. If you would like a response, please e-mail sourcecode@uwcu.org.
Since adding Certificate Opening to Web Branch (read previous post), we’ve had an amazing response to the number of members using it. However, some of you have commented that you’d like the ability to use this interface for IRA Certificates and also for other ownership types like trusts and POD. We are actively looking into how we can enhance the process to provide the additional ownership options. More information on these options will be available soon.
A few of you have inquired about the ability to do check deposits from home via Web Branch instead of having to visit a branch or ATM. We’ve been monitoring the different options for this service for a number of years. Technology has recently changed where home scanners are being used to send a check image to do the transaction. We are starting to look into this new technique and will hopefully find a solution so we can add the service to Web Branch in the future. Now if we can just figure out how to dispense cash out of a CD-ROM drive!
We’ve also had requests for an online register in Web Branch so memos, categories and other data can be attached to your transaction history. We think this is the future of online banking and are actively working on this service. I’m really excited about the potential this has to make managing your finances even easier with Web Branch. As we get closer to being able to offer this service, we’ll be providing additional details.
We have received a number of questions that are technical in nature. This is not the focus of the blog, however with the title of the blog being Source Code, it probably looks like we’d cover the technologies used for our Web services. I’d be happy to respond to these kinds of questions individually if you e-mail or include an e-mail address in your comment post.
Finally, we’ve received lots of positive comments and praise. It is great to be reassured that our efforts are recognized and appreciated by our members. All too often, people don’t take the time to write unless they are having a problem. We believe strongly in providing a great online experience for our members, so it is great to have confirmation that our work is making a difference in our members’ lives.
We really appreciate the feedback—keep it coming!
Labels: about, feedback, new features, tips
Open a Certificate in 60 Seconds on Web Branch
We've had instant deposit account opening on Web Branch since July 2007, but certificate accounts were not available. We've added certificate account opening to the new account tool. It's a simple process to open a new certificate:
- Choose the type of deposit account you'd like to open.
- For a certificate account, choose the type of certificate and the term (we have a savings advice calculator to help you narrow down the choices and select the account the best meets your needs).
- Read and accept the disclosures.
- Choose the account you'd like to fund the new certificate from and the amount.
- Set up additional account options like a nickname and if you'd like a joint account holder.
- Verify that all the details are correct.
- Congratulations, you have a new certificate. You'll instantly see it on your account summary.
To begin the process, select Open New Account on the Account Summary.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch
What is a Security Phrase?
The security phrase feature has been part of Web Branch and Web Alerts since 2003. However, we still hear from members from time to time who are confused with how the security phrase works. I'd like to address what the security phrase is and how it protects you and your accounts from fraud.
The security phrase is not a password. You should not include private information in your security phrase like your Social Security Number or mother's maiden name. In fact, it should not be just one word, it should be a phrase. I like to use some of my favorite song lyrics. Other good phrases might be a list of your favorite movies or books, kids' names, or famous quotes. The best security phrase is something you'll immediately recognize as being something you wrote.
We put your security phrase in every automated e-mail we send. E-mail is not secure (it is transmitted as text over the Internet and could be intercepted and read). That's why you should not include anything private in your phrase.
By including your security phrase in e-mails, you can be sure they are from UW Credit Union. With phishing and other types of e-mail fraud, scammers send thousands of e-mails hoping they reach customers who might fall for the scam. However, in their spam, they'd never be able to customize the message to include your security phrase. This means that as long as you recognize your phrase in an e-mail from UW Credit Union, you can be comfortable knowing it is legitimate.
If you're a Web Alerts user with a good security phrase, no action is required. You can continue to use Web Alerts comfortably and confidently. If you use Web Alerts and don't have a security phrase or are using a password or other private information in your phrase, please create or change your phrase immediately. This is easily done by clicking on the Update Security Phrase link in any Web Alert or by logging into Web Branch and going to the My Profile & Services tab.
Labels: feedback, help, tips, Web Branch
Customize Web Branch with User Preferences
Last week we introduced Quick Views (read the previous post here). We realize some members may not want to use this feature so we've added the ability to turn it off to the User Preferences page. This page can be accessed via the My Profile & Services tab.
We have a few other customization options available there now and we'll be adding more choices as new features are added.
Labels: new features, tips, Web Branch
